Straight edge collapsible box system

ABSTRACT

A straight edge collapsible box system including a foldable flat panel and collapsible interior-box. The foldable flat panel has a plurality of sections hingedly coupled at a wall joint and forming the foldable flat panel. The foldable flat panel when erected forms an exterior shell for the interior-box. The top-section of the foldable flat panel forms an interior surface of the shell and the bottom-section of the foldable flat panel forms an exterior surface for the interior-box. The shell comprises a true straight edge along an exterior edge of each the wall joint and a V-groove configuration along an interior edge of each of the wall joints. The V-grooves interlock when the shell is erected, thereby forming a straight the exterior edge of the wall joints of the shell. The foldable flat panel and the interior-box are used in combination to provide a durable box.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/584,111 filed Nov. 9, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of boxes and more specifically relates to collapsible boxes.

2. Description of Related Art

Boxes are used ubiquitously in everyday life, often for permanent or temporary storage, or for shipment and distribution of goods. When there is a need to store boxes before use or in case of repeated use, it is convenient for a box to be collapsible, for ease of storage and minimal use of storage footprint. In addition to being collapsible, desired features of boxes are sturdiness, durability, and, depending on the type of use, appearance.

Collapsible boxes are commonly constructed by providing flat panels which can be conveniently manipulated to erect boxes of different shapes. The flat panels are folded to form box edges. These exterior edges are typically created by flat-edge paperboard panels held together by an exterior paper wrap that creates a flexible hinge. The paperboard panels are free-floating within the paper wrap, resulting in weakness and instability in the folding area.

To accommodate heavy contents and repeated use, collapsible boxes must be sturdy and durable. Furthermore, aesthetic appeal is an important consideration in case of decorative boxes, such as gift, display and jewelry boxes. Practical box construction solutions providing the named characteristics are desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2014/0318992 to Beatrice Morelli Carullo relates to a folding box. The described folding box includes a folding box for a piece of jewelry or timepiece, including a foldable blank with a packaging band having a direction movable between an unfolded position in a plane and a folded position, and including two flaps movable in relation to a base. It includes a foldable structure, movable between a folded position parallel to said plane and a stable unfolded position, including a base face fixed to said base or forming said base, and two bearing surfaces each for receiving in abutment one of said flaps in said unfolded position of said foldable structure, Said foldable structure is foldably movable, between the flat folded position and stable unfolded position, around a folding crease which is oblique with respect to said direction, forming one edge of said base face.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known box art, the present disclosure provides a novel straight edge collapsible box system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a straight edge design for increased sturdiness and durability.

A straight edge collapsible box system is disclosed herein. The straight edge collapsible box system includes a foldable flat panel including a plurality of sections hingedly coupled at a wall joint and forming the foldable flat panel. The foldable flat panel includes a top-section and a bottom-section. The plurality of sections is/are hingedly coupled via V-grooves positioned along the wall joint of the top-section of the foldable flat panel. The foldable flat panel, when erected, forms a shell for an interior-box. The foldable flat panel is configured to wrap around the interior-box. The top-section of the foldable flat panel forms an interior surface of the shell and the bottom-section of the foldable flat panel forms an exterior surface for the interior-box. The shell comprises a ‘true’ straight edge along an exterior edge of each the wall joint and a V-groove configuration along an interior edge of each of the wall joints. The V-grooves include a first-side and a second-side configured to mate and interlock when the shell is erected, thereby forming a straight exterior edge of the wall joints of the shell. The foldable flat panel and the interior-box are used in combination to provide a durable box.

A kit is also disclosed herein including a foldable flat panel, an interior-box, and a set of instructions.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a straight edge collapsible box system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the straight edge collapsible box system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the straight edge collapsible box system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the straight edge collapsible box system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the straight edge collapsible box system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the straight edge collapsible box system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the straight edge collapsible box system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to boxes and more particularly to a straight edge collapsible box system as used to improve the use collapsible boxes.

Generally, the straight edge collapsible box system may include a V-groove configuration located on the side of a foldable flat panel that is the inner side of the box edges when the flat panel is folded, and the straight edge collapsible box is in the erected state. As the flat panel is folded, the sides of the V-shaped grooves mate thereby closing the groove, interlocking, and producing a stable, true straight edge along the exterior of the erected box wall joints. The stable, true straight edges make the straight edge collapsible box sturdier and more durable.

In one embodiment, when the straight edge collapsible box is in the collapsed state, the V-groove may be located on the top side of a foldable flat panel. The foldable flat panel may be folded to erect the straight edge collapsible box. As the flat panel folds, the sides of the V-shaped groove come together. The V-shaped groove is now located on the inside of the wall joint. As the flat panel folds to form the wall joint, the sides of the V-shaped grooves mate thereby closing the groove completely, interlocking, and producing a true straight edge along the exterior of the erected box wall joints. The true straight edge is stable, narrow, and clean. True straight edges make the straight edge collapsible box sturdier, and durable. Furthermore, the smooth straight edges make the box more functionally aesthetically appealing.

The straight edge collapsible box system may comprise a foldable flat panel including sections that are the top wall section, bottom wall section, and two of the four sidewall sections. Illustrated subsequently are three V-grooves located on the top side of the foldable flat panel. One V-groove separates the top wall section and a sidewall section of the foldable flat panel. A middle V-groove separates the bottom wall section and the sidewall section, and the third V-groove separates the bottom panel and the other sidewall section of the foldable flat panel. When the flat panel is folded, the sides of the V-grooves mate and interlock, producing a stable, true straight edge along the exterior of the erected box wall joints.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4B, various views of a straight edge collapsible box system 100. FIG. 1 shows a straight edge collapsible box system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the straight edge collapsible box system 100 may include a foldable flat panel 110 including a plurality of sections 120 hingedly coupled at a wall joint 122 and forming the foldable flat panel 110.

The foldable flat panel 110 includes a top-section 124 and a bottom-section 128. The plurality of sections 120 are hingedly coupled via a V-groove 132 configuration positioned along the wall joint 122 of the top-section 124 of the foldable flat panel 110. The foldable flat panel 110 when erected forms a shell for an interior-box. The foldable flat panel 110 is configured to wrap around the interior-box. The top-section 124 of the foldable flat panel 110 forms an interior surface of the shell and the bottom-section 128 of the foldable flat panel forms an exterior surface for the interior-box. The shell comprises a true straight edge along an exterior edge of each the wall joint 122 and a V-groove 132 configuration along an interior edge of each of the wall joints 122. The V-grooves 132 include a first-side 134 and a second-side 136 configured to mate and interlock when the shell is erected, thereby forming a straight the exterior edge of the wall joints 122 of the shell. The foldable flat panel 110 and the interior-box are used in combination to provide a durable and fully collapsible box.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the straight edge collapsible box system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the straight edge collapsible box system 100 may include the interior-box and the foldable flat panel 110 comprising the plurality of sections 120. The plurality of sections comprises panels including a base-panel 160, a top-panel 162, a first-side-panel 164, a second-side-panel 166, and a third-side-panel 168. The base-panel 160, the top-panel 162, the first-side-panel 164, the second-side-panel 166, and the third-side-panel 168 are hingedly connected in a series forming the foldable flat panel 110. The first-side-panel 164, the second-side-panel 166, and the third-side-panel 168 each comprise a substantially similar profile. Further, the base-panel 160 and the top-panel 162 each comprise a substantially similar profile. The first-side-panel 164 and the third-side-panel 168 are positioned at opposing ends of the foldable flat panel 110. The foldable flat panel 110 is a single continuous sheet and the panels are semi-rigid.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the straight edge collapsible box system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the straight edge collapsible box system 100 may include the interior-box and the foldable flat panel 110 configured to encircle the interior box and provide an outer shell for the interior box. The interior-box and the shell comprise a substantially similar profile such that the interior-box fits within the foldable flat panel 110 formed into the shell. In a preferred embodiment, the interior-box is collapsible. The interior-box comprises an open top end during an erected condition. A base of the interior-box mates with the base-panel 160 of the foldable flat panel 110 during a wrapped-condition. The top panel 162 covers the open top end of the interior-box during an in-use condition.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show views of the straight edge collapsible box system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the straight edge collapsible box system 100 may include V-groove 132 configurations positioned at hinged points between the plurality of sections 120 of the foldable flat panel 110. The first-side 134 and the second-side 136 of the V-groove 132 configuration come together as the foldable flat panel 110 is erected into the shell. Between the first-side 134 and the second-side 136 is a v-shaped gap. The first-side 134 and the second-side 136 when mated form a straight exterior edge of the wall joints 122.

As shown in FIG. 5, the true straight edge is stable, narrow, and clean. True straight edges make the straight edge collapsible box system 100 sturdier, and durable. Furthermore, the smooth straight edges make a box more functionally aesthetically appealing.

the straight edge collapsible box system 100 may be arranged as a kit. In particular, the straight edge collapsible box system 100 may further include a foldable flat panel 110; an interior-box; and a set of instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure/aesthetics of the straight edge collapsible box system 100 such that the straight edge collapsible box system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A straight edge collapsible box system comprising: a foldable flat panel including; a plurality of sections hingedly coupled at a wall joint and forming said foldable flat panel; wherein said foldable flat panel includes a top-section and a bottom-section; wherein said plurality of sections are hingedly coupled via V-grooves positioned along said wall joint of said top-section of said foldable flat panel; wherein said foldable flat panel when erected forms a shell for an interior-box, said foldable flat panel is configured to wrap around said interior-box; wherein said top-section of said foldable flat panel forms an interior surface of said shell and said bottom-section of said foldable flat panel forms an exterior surface for said interior-box; wherein said shell comprises a true straight edge along an exterior edge of each said wall joint and a V-groove configuration along an interior edge of each of said wall joints; wherein said V-grooves include a first-side and a second-side configured to mate and interlock when said shell is erected, thereby forming a straight said exterior edge of said wall joints of said shell; and wherein said foldable flat panel and said interior-box are used in combination to provide a durable box.
 2. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of sections comprises panels including a base-panel, a top-panel, a first-side-panel, a second-side-panel, and a third-side-panel.
 3. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 2, wherein said base-panel, said top-panel, said first-side-panel, said second-side-panel, and said third-side-panel are hingedly connected in a series forming said foldable flat panel.
 4. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 3, wherein said first-side-panel, said second-side-panel, and said third-side-panel each comprise a substantially similar profile.
 5. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 4, wherein said base-panel and said top-panel each comprise a substantially similar profile.
 6. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 1, wherein said first-side-panel and said third-side-panel are positioned at opposing ends of said foldable flat panel.
 7. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 1, wherein said V-groove configurations are positioned at hinged points.
 8. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 1, wherein said first-side and said second-side of said V-groove configuration come together as said foldable flat panel is erected into said shell.
 9. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 8, wherein between said first-side and said second-side is a v-shaped gap.
 10. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 8, wherein said first-side and said second-side when mated form a straight said exterior edge of said wall joints.
 11. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 1, wherein said interior-box and said shell comprise a substantially similar profile such that said interior-box fits within said foldable flat panel formed into said box with said foldable flat panel acting as said shell.
 12. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 11, wherein said interior-box is collapsible.
 13. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 12, wherein said interior-box comprises an open top end during an erected condition.
 14. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 11, wherein a base of said interior-box mates with said base-panel of said foldable flat panel during a wrapped-condition.
 15. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 13, wherein said top panel covers said open top end of said interior-box during an in-use condition.
 16. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 1, wherein said foldable flat panel is a single continuous sheet.
 17. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 1, wherein said panels are semi-rigid.
 18. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 1, wherein said box is fully collapsible.
 19. A straight edge collapsible box system, the straight edge collapsible box system comprising: a foldable flat panel including; a plurality of sections hingedly coupled at a wall joint and forming said foldable flat panel; wherein said foldable flat panel includes a top-section and a bottom-section; wherein said plurality of sections are hingedly coupled via V-grooves positioned along said wall joint of said top-section of said foldable flat panel; wherein said foldable flat panel when erected forms a shell for an interior-box, said foldable flat panel is configured to wrap around said interior-box; wherein said top-section of said foldable flat panel forms an interior surface of said shell and said bottom-section of said foldable flat panel forms an exterior surface for said interior-box; wherein said shell comprises a true straight edge along an exterior edge of each said wall joint and a V-groove configuration along an interior edge of each of said wall joints; wherein said V-grooves include a first-side and a second-side configured to mate and interlock when said shell is erected, thereby forming a straight said exterior edge of said wall joints of said shell; wherein said foldable flat panel and said interior-box are used in combination to provide a durable box; wherein said plurality of sections comprises panels including a base-panel, a top-panel, a first-side-panel, a second-side-panel, and a third-side-panel; wherein said base-panel, said top-panel, said first-side-panel, said second-side-panel, and said third-side-panel are hingedly connected in a series forming said foldable flat panel; wherein said first-side-panel, said second-side-panel, and said third-side-panel each comprise a substantially similar profile; wherein said base-panel and said top-panel each comprise a substantially similar profile; wherein said first-side-panel and said third-side-panel are positioned at opposing ends of said foldable flat panel; wherein said V-groove configurations are positioned at hinged points; wherein said first-side and said second-side of said V-groove configuration come together as said foldable flat panel is erected into said shell; wherein between said first-side and said second-side is a v-shaped gap; wherein said first-side and said second-side when mated form a straight said exterior edge of said wall joints; wherein said interior-box and said shell comprise a substantially similar profile such that said interior-box fits within said foldable flat panel formed into said box with said foldable flat panel acting as said shell; wherein said interior-box is collapsible; wherein said interior-box comprises an open top end during an erected condition; wherein a base of said interior-box mates with said base-panel of said foldable flat panel during a wrapped-condition; wherein said top panel covers said open top end of said interior-box during an in-use condition; wherein said foldable flat panel is a single continuous sheet; wherein said panels are semi-rigid; and wherein said box is fully collapsible.
 20. The straight edge collapsible box system of claim 19, further comprising: said foldable flat panel; said interior-box; a set of instructions; and wherein the straight edge collapsible box system is arranged as a kit. 